Penn State Wrestling: Nittany Lions Take Team Score Lead Into Friday

The Penn State wrestling team sits in first place after the opening session of the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Led by seniors David Taylor and Ed Ruth the Nittany Lions jumped out in the opening session to an early lead thanks to pins by both Taylor and Ruth. Penn State had 16.5 points, just ahead of second place Oklahoma State, which had 13.5 following the first session. The Nittany Lions have a total of 10 wresters taking part in this weekend's event.

Red-shirt freshman Jimmy Gulibon was the only Nittany Lion to fall as the unseeded wrestling at 133 pounds, dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 4 Jon Morrison of Oklahoma State.

Penn State was able to collect 7.5 bonus points off two major decisions, one tech fall and two pins. A team victory this weekend would give Penn State its fourth straight team national title.

The event continues Friday and concludes Saturday night with the championship finals and the crowning of the team champion. All six sessions are being aired live on ESPNU or ESPN, with ESPN3 offering full tournament multi-mat coverage online.